The role of P53 and Bcl-2 in the apoptosis of testicular yolk sac tumor cells induced by cisplatin

Objective To investigate the role of P53 and Bcl-2 genes in the apoptosis of testicu-lar yolk sac tumor cells unduced by cisplatin. Methods Primary yolk sac tumor cells were cultured and induced by cisplatin. The morphologic change of cels was observed after AO/EB dual staining. Then the apoptosis index was measured by TUNEL technique. Expression of P53 and Bcl-2 gene was detected by immunocytochemical staining assay. Results After induced by cisplatin, pyknotic and ap-optotic bodies was observed in yolk sac tumor cells. The apoptotic index increased with time extension (P<0.01). The expression of P53 achieved the peak at 12 h post-induction, after which no increasing was observed. The expression of Bcl-2 decreased with time extension (P<0.01), and the expressive site shifted to the edge of nucleus. Conclusions Cisplatin can induce the apoptosis of yolk sac tumor cells through increased expression of P53 and decreased expression of Bcl-2. Key words: Child;  Testis;  Yolk sac tumor;  Apoptosis;  Cisplatin